AAMR F.Y.I.
August 2005, Vol.5, No.8
Visit http://www.aamr.org/FYI/ to access
current and past issues of this monthly newsletter.
Dear AAMR Friends and Colleagues:
DURHAM COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
ADOPTS THE SUPPORTS INTENSITY SCALE
Durham County, North Carolina is the first County in the United States to adopt
the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS) in determining support needs of persons
with developmental disabilities. "Finally, we have an assessment tool
that provides a foundation for real, person-centered planning," says Robin
Baker, of The Durham Center in North Carolina.
SIS evaluates practical support requirements of persons with intellectual disabilities
in 85 areas.
Read more about the County adoption at http://www.siswebsite.org/page.ww?section=News&name=Press+Release+Detail&pressrelease.id=10.
Learn more about SIS at www.siswebsite.org.
HOW EXPOSED IS AMERICA TO TOXIC CHEMICALS? CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL RELEASES
STATUS REPORT
The Third National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals released
by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) contains good news and bad news. Levels
of lead and secondhand tobacco in blood and urine are down, but levels of a
metal called cadmium are worrisome. Environmental toxins have been known to
cause permanent developmental disabilities (Read more at http://www.aamr.org/ToxinsandMentalRetardation/).
Read a press release issued by the CDC at http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r050721.htm
Read the Third National Report at http://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/
Toxic exposure and childhood development is the focus of an upcoming conference
co-organized by the American Association on Mental Retardation in Michigan.
Read more at http://www.aamr.org/ToxinsandMentalRetardation/conf.shtml
NEW GUIDE PUBLISHED ON USING RESEARCH-BASED STRATEGIES TO TEACH STUDENTS WITH
INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
Increasingly in special education, there is a call for evidence-based practices
to improve outcomes of students with mental retardation. A new book published
the American Association on Mental Retardation and Merrill Education takes
research in the five general areas of assessment; instruction; classroom management;
social and communication skills; and self-determination and provides classroom
strategies for teachers in special education.
To read an introduction and a table of contents from Mental Retardation
and Intellectual Disabilities: Teaching Students Using Innovative and Research-Based
Strategies by Michael L. Wehmeyer and Martin Agran, visit http://www.aamr.org/Reading_Room/pdf/AAMRMerrillintroduction.pdf
To reserve your copy of Teaching ($32), call 301-604-1340 or email aamr@pmds.com
NOT ENOUGH TRACKING ON BIRTH DEFECTS AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES IS SLOWING
PROGRESS, SAYS NEW REPORT
A new report by the Trust for America's Health finds gaps in the collection
of information about birth defects and developmental disabilities, as well
as missed opportunities in connecting education and social service data to
health research studies. The report says that only five states track developmental
disabilities beyond autism.
Read more about Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities: The Search
for Causes and Cures at http://healthyamericans.org/reports/birthdefects05/
LEARN INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES IN COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT FOR PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES FROM FIVE U.S. STATES
A study by the Institute on Community Inclusion reveals that Colorado, Florida,
New Hampshire, Maine, Maryland, and Washington are doing an excellent job at
creating community employment opportunities for persons with developmental
disabilities.
Read what each state is doing at http://www.communityinclusion.org/publications/pub.php?page=stateinnov
NOMINATE AN OUTSTANDING PARAPROFESSIONAL FOR THE SERENA MERCK MEMORIAL AWARD
The Serena Merck Memorial award established by the John Merck Fund calls attention
to the invaluable role individuals play in the developmental disability field.
Deadline for submissions is September 1, 2005.
Learn more at http://www.aamr.org/Events/serena_merck.html
AAMR F.Y.I. is compiled by Anna Prabhala, Editor. Please submit comments, suggestions, tips, and news to annap@aamr.org
Access past issues of AAMR F.Y.I. at www.aamr.org/FYI/. To subscribe, visit http://www.responsetrack.net/aamr/sign_up
© Copyright 2005 American Association on Mental Retardation
Publication of an advertisement by AAMR is neither an endorsement of the advertiser nor of the advertised products or services.
AAMR F.Y.I. may only be redistributed in its unedited form.